This vegan BBQ sauce is sweet, smoky and tangy. There's no ketchup or refined sugar in this recipe. Slather it on veggie burgers, or use it as a dip or a marinade.
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Vegan BBQ sauce is a great addition to your weekly meal plan. Make a jar and use it all week...it literally kicks every dish up a notch. We like to use it to dip raw veggies in or as a tangy topping for waffle fries.
The great thing about making vegan BBQ sauce from scratch is that you know exactly what's going into it. Store bought brands can be full of additives and preservatives, and there's nothing worse than buying a giant bottle of something that you might only want for one recipe. When you make homemade BBQ sauce you can adjust the quantities.
Plus, you can adjust the recipe to suit your own tastes...don't like spicy? No problem, reduce or omit the chili pepper. Too sweet? reduce the amount of maple syrup in the recipe. You get the point!
Is BBQ Sauce Vegan?
Not every store bought brand of BBQ sauce is vegan. Ingredients to look out for are honey, Worcestershire sauce and anchovies. However, there are many vegan brands available. Here's a few that have the vegan seal of approval:
- Stubb's
- Sweet Baby Ray's: The original BBQ sauce is vegan friendly, but many of their other sauces are not.
- Annie's
- Organicville
- Primal Kitchen: Their BBQ is vegan friendly, but some of their other sauces are not.
🛒Ingredients
- Tomato Sauce: No ketchup in this vegan BBQ sauce....tomato sauce is our base.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup replaces refined sugar in this recipe. I also just love the maple flavor. It complements BBQ sauce so much.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is what gives your BBQ sauce that tangy quality.
- Dijon Mustard: Use the prepared mustard, not dried. Dijon mustard does have a bit of kick to it, so if you don't like spicy, just add a little less.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is less assertive than raw garlic, which would overpower this sauce.
- Liquid Smoke: This is the one ingredient that you might not have in your pantry. I swear by this stuff - if you are vegan, you'll find so many uses for it. It's not strictly necessary in this recipe, but it does add a lovely hickory, smoky flavor.
- Chili Powder: Adds a little spicy kick. Adjust the chili powder to suit your heat preference.
- Black Pepper: Add a few good grinds of black pepper - it really improves the taste.
👨🍳How To Make Vegan BBQ Sauce
- It's so simple! Put all of your ingredients into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Now reduce the heat and simmer your BBQ sauce for 10 minutes. This will give it a chance to thicken.
- Taste, and adjust your seasonings. If it's not sweet enough for you, add a bit more maple syrup. If it's not tangy enough, add some more apple cider vinegar. It's your sauce, so make it how you prefer!
- Let the sauce cool down before storing it in a clean jar.
Serving Suggestions
- Add vegan BBQ sauce to my TVP burger.
- What about dipping these garlic truffle fries in BBQ sauce?
- BBQ sauce is a great dip for vegan chicken nuggets.
- Use BBQ sauce for a delicious tofu marinade.
- BBQ sauce would be an excellent marinade for roasted squash.
- Pulled jackfruit burgers would go well a vegan BBQ sauce.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If so, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thisdailydish. Or, leave a comment below. It makes my day, and helps other readers.
🙋Frequently Asked Questions
No, not all BBQ sauces have ketchup as an ingredient. While ketchup is a common ingredient in many BBQ sauces, there are many different variations and recipes that use different ingredients such as vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
The exact shelf life of BBQ sauce can vary depending on the ingredients and how it's been stored, but in general, opened bottles of BBQ sauce should be used within 3-6 months. Unopened bottles can last up to a year or longer. To ensure that your BBQ sauce stays fresh, it's important to store it in the refrigerator, keep the lid tightly closed, and avoid cross-contamination by using a clean utensil each time you use it. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as a change in color, consistency, or odor, it's best to discard it.
Some BBQ sauces contain ingredients that are derived from gluten-containing grains, such as wheat, barley, or rye, and are therefore not gluten-free. Other BBQ sauces may be made with gluten-free ingredients, such as gluten-free soy sauce or vinegar, and can be suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. To determine if a BBQ sauce is gluten-free, it's important to check the ingredient list and look for any mentions of wheat, barley, rye, or other gluten-containing ingredients.
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
Homemade Pickled Mustard Seeds
Ultimate Pineapple Habanero Salsa
How To Make Chipotle Mayo - Vegan
📖 Recipe
Vegan BBQ Sauce - No Ketchup
Ingredients
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Allow the sauce to cool before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Each serving is 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
Reece
Love this! Thanks
Keri Bevan
Thanks for your feedback Reece! So pleased you liked the BBQ sauce.